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The 25 Best Movies On Amazon Prime Right Now

In the world of streaming subscription services, there's what's become known as the "big three." Netflix is still the biggest kahuna in the game, but Hulu and Amazon Prime are hot on its heels. Each service offers its own large selection of movies, with thousands of titles of various calibers included. Currently, Amazon Prime actually boasts the largest movie library of the three, but it could be argued that quantity isn't nearly as important as quality.

25 of the very best movie titles offered on Amazon Prime can be found below, featuring a mix of blockbuster hits, award-winning critical darlings, hilarious comedies, bone-chilling horror movies, and more. The list below attempts to include something for everyone, and thankfully, Amazon Prime's selection houses quite the robust grouping of worthwhile streaming choices.

Before the list begins proper, there are some important notes to be made. First the movies below are available to stream on Amazon Prime at the time of this writing. As movies expire, the list will be updated, and new great options will be added. Also, the 25 films below, while numbered for convenience, are not ranked. So the movie marked number one is not meant to necessarily be seen as superior to the movie at number 25.

25. The Matrix

One of the biggest pop culture phenomenons of its time, 1999's The Matrix put sibling directors The Wachowskis on the map. The Matrix's quite brilliant premise is that the world and everyone in it is in fact a computer simulation powered by the very humans that dwell there, after a catastrophic war between mankind and machines. One day, Thomas Anderson aka Neo (Keanu Reeves), a mild-mannered computer programmer by day and hacker by night, is woken up to the sad reality of his situation by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), leaders of a human resistance effort seeking to expose The Matrix to the public. Sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions are also available on Amazon Prime.

24. Hereditary

Most horror films are full of obvious supernatural threats, whether they be vampires, ghosts, demons. or even the occasional sadistic leprechaun. Sometimes though, a horror effort comes along to reinforce that at the end of the day, the fear of losing a loved one is one that audiences can't escape, even after the latest scary movie stops playing. One recent example of that type is 2018's critically lauded (89% on Rotten Tomatoes) Hereditary, directed by Ari Aster, and starring Toni Collette as Annie, an emotionally scarred mom who finds her life spinning more and more out of control following the death of her own mother. Hereditary has become a bit divisive in horror circles, but it's worth watching on Amazon Prime and judging for oneself.

23. A Clockwork Orange

Legendary director Stanley Kubrick may no longer be among the living, but his many masterpieces continue to fascinate and enchant movie lovers decades later. 1971's A Clockwork Orange - based on the novel by Anthony Burgess - is set in a dystopian Britain, and centers on Alex DeLarge (Malcolm McDowell), the leader of a violent gang of criminals. When Alex is captured and convicted, it turns out the punishment for his crimes may actually be more heinous than the crimes themselves. A Clockwork Orange is truly a top pick for Amazon Prime subscribers.

22. The Game

One of the earlier films to emerge from the endlessly creative mind of director David Fincher, 1997's The Game might not be Fincher's most awarded or money-making effort, but it's still a terrific little thriller in its own right. Michael Douglas stars as Nicholas Van Orton, a successful investment banker that's still haunted by his father's suicide. Nicholas' life gets dangerously interesting when his brother Conrad (Sean Penn) offers him an invitation to play the titular game. Nicholas agrees, but quickly wishes he hadn't, as things get crazy in short order. There's never been a better time for Amazon Prime users to discover this gem.

21. Eighth Grade

The feature writing and directing debut of comedian Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade wowed many in 2018 with its very relatable, and often very frank depiction of what it's like to be transitioning into one's teenage years. Most movies and TV shows tend to depict childhood and young adulthood as this time full of nothing but fun and carefree idealism, but in reality, many people spend their youths battling social awkwardness, dealing with anxiety, and struggling to fit in. Fronted by a great lead performance from Elsie Fisher, and bolstered by one of the best speeches ever given from a parent to their child onscreen, Eighth Grade isn't always easy to sit through, but it's consistently rewarding. Another impressive offering from Amazon Prime.

20. Some Like It Hot

Those looking to watch a classic comedy on Amazon Prime need look no further than 1951's Some Like It Hot,directed by Hollywood icon Billy Wilder, helmer of other golden age hits like Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon star as two Chicago musicians forced to assume female identities to get out of town after witnessing a gangland murder. Both quickly notice the singer of their new all-female band, played by Marilyn Monroe near the height of her stardom. Some Like It Hot includes some moments that are problematic by today's standards, but those willing to view it through a historical lens will still find plenty to enjoy.

19. Wayne's World

Based on a popular Saturday Night Live sketch, 1992's Wayne's World was never going to be an Oscar-winner, and it certainly wasn't designed to be a critical darling. Yet, critics did love it, as did audiences, leading to a huge gross of nearly $200 million worldwide on a budget of $20 million. To those who came of age in the 1990s, Wayne's World remains a cultural touchstone, and appreciation of the film is by no means limited to just that generation. The scene of Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey) headbanging to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is absolutely iconic. The not as good but still quite funny sequel, Wayne's World 2, is also available on Amazon Prime.

18. The Return of the Living Dead

Long before Simon Pegg and Nick Frost combined laughs with flesh-eating zombies in 2004's Shaun of the Dead, director Dan O'Bannon unleashed 1985's The Return of the Living Dead on unsuspecting audiences. Often considered one of the best horror comedies ever, The Return of the Living Dead was set in a world in which events similar to those of George A. Romero's 1968 classic Night of the Living Dead really happened, and the movie was a cover story. Unfortunately, hapless warehouse workers Frank (James Karen) and Freddy (Thom Matthews) soon mistakenly release the Trioxin gas that brings the dead back to life, leading to brain-eating gory deaths and personality-filled talking zombies. A perfect choice for a night of Amazon Prime streaming fun.